A Day at a Time · Chapter
XIX: The God of the Unlovable Man explained
This chapter reflects on the biblical title 'God of Jacob,' arguing that God is the God even of unlovable, disagreeable people.
What happens
This chapter reflects on the biblical title 'God of Jacob,' arguing that God is the God even of unlovable, disagreeable people. It challenges readers to be more patient and charitable toward those they find irritating, and to recognize their own unlovable qualities, finding hope in the grace of the God of Jacob.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Generosity
The chapter emphasizes God's love and generosity toward unlovable people, urging readers to emulate that compassion and patience.
Sacrifice and Duty
The reference to George Eliot's description of unlovable people making hard sacrifices highlights the theme of duty and hidden struggles.
Hope and Optimism
The chapter concludes with hope that the God of Jacob offers refuge and the promise of better things for even the most unlovable.
Characters to notice
- Jacob
Jacob is the central figure of the chapter, described as unlovable, calculating, and mean-spirited in his early life, yet ultimately redeemed by God's grace.
- Abraham
Abraham is mentioned as a great and faithful soul, contrasted with Jacob's unlovable nature.
- Isaac
Isaac is noted as a saint, contrasted with Jacob's flawed character.
- Henry Drummond
Drummond is quoted as calling the elder brother in the Prodigal Son story a 'baby,' illustrating irritation with unlovable people.
- George Eliot
Eliot is referenced for a passage about the hidden struggles of unlovable people, suggesting they may be shedding hot tears in solitude.
Key passages
“The God of Jacob is our refuge.”
God, who was the God of the flawed and unlovable Jacob, is our safe haven.
This verse from Psalm 46:11 is the foundational text for the chapter's meditation.
“While we are coldly discussing a man’s career, sneering at his mistakes, and labelling his opinions 'Evangelical and narrow' or 'Latitudinarian and pantheistic,' or 'Anglican and supercilious,' that man in his solitude is perhaps shedding hot tears because his sacrifice is a hard one, because strength and patience are failing him to speak the difficult word and do the difficult deed.”
While we harshly judge and categorize others, they may be privately struggling and weeping over their own difficult sacrifices.
This paraphrase captures George Eliot's insight into the hidden suffering of those we find unlovable.